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- 1. CURRICULUM VITAE Helen Zeal Business address: The Studio, 1st Guildford Place, 124a Guildford Street, Chertsey KT16 9AH Private address: 218 Almners Road, Lyne, Surrey KT16 0BL Office 01932 567234 Mobile 07900 907307 helen@hummingbirdaccessories.com Passionate, committed, innovative and trend aware Head of Buying, with extensive fashion buying management and sourcing experience within accessories and jewellery. Experienced in building successful, commercial ranges, incorporating global trends that are appropriate for the target customers whilst maintaining brand integrity and margin. Able to develop and implement clear strategies. Strong critical path and supply chain management. Dedicated, inspirational leadership and committment to team development. Professional Experience November 2012 present Owner/Founder/Director Hummingbird Accessories Limited and Hummingbird London Limited I have now fulfilled a long-held ambition to launch my own business. Hummingbird Accessories is a trend-led private label supply business & concession operator. We operate branded jewellery concessions in 65 stores and online and supply retailers with ranges of jewellery and accessories developed specifically for their own brands. Hummingbird London is a consultancy business. I personally undertake short or longer term consulting projects for manufacturers and retailers, depending on the clients needs. This may include market reports, design direction, product development, sales development, sourcing & supply chain, and Buying and Merchandising processes & structures. Additionally I have a small but talented team of freelance associates who, with the clients agreement, can assist with the project workload or supplement additional skills such as technical product design. January 2012 July 2012 Head of Buying, Womenswear New Look Key achievements: Responsible for 55% of the womenswear mix Managing a team of 30 people during a period of change and uncertainty Introducing missing trend areas and identifying under-potentialised product categories such as maxi dresses, slogan jersey tops, longer line jersey and woven tops, peplum tops, collar detailing Predicting key best sellers such as the belted maxi dress and increasing the buy quantity by over 300% resulting in an additional 贈4m profit Reviewing the supply base and introducing new suppliers to enhance our offer addressing the lost broad appeal product Working with the buying teams to record a structured buying calendar, ensuring that key decisions were reviewed at the right time and opportunities for margin gain could be considered (through shipping methods or longer lead time sourcing) Shaping and influencing company strategy, particularly in terms of customer profile, range width and depth, pricing structure and marketing of wow price points, trend availability and choice in the smaller markets, striking the balance between trading and up-front planning; challenging the mini me approach to the childrens ranges Coaching and challenging the buying and design teams to think more commercially and to embrace a broader range of customers in line with company strategy 1
- 2. Devising and implementing best practice approaches to key cross-function processes such as product selection for windows and advertising; visual merchandising to reflect the strongest product offer and current weather; design and development of in-house prints Taking a leadership role in the successful AW2012 Press Show, covering product development and selection and establishing a clearly defined critical path Forging a successful working relationship with peers to encourage sharing of information and resource, a shared sense of purpose and leading our teams by example Reviewing team structures and identifying areas of under/over-resource, developing the business case for the finance team and recruiting Working with the relevant heads of e-comm and international/franchise to agree improved ways of working with gains in efficiency and commerciality identified September 2006 December 2011 Buying Controller, Accessories and Hosiery Primark Key responsibilities: Accountable for a 贈270m bi-annual sales budget; approx 12.5% of the UK turnover To oversee the B&M teams across accessories and hosiery (19 people); coach and manage senior team to optimise individual and department performance; give consideration to progression planning Chair weekly trade meetings with B&M teams, identify opportunities/risks and take appropriate action Develop and implement departmental strategies across product, branding, range planning, stock management, and sourcing Direct and guide the buying team to identify trends, develop product and build ranges; review and approve Buyers proposed ranges Review sales forecasts and stock plans with merchandising team; identify markdown requirements Formulate and drive the complex department/divisional critical path Maintain close links with Retail to optimise ranges in-store, review space and visual impact Work with the ethical team to ensure suppliers adhere to company policies Report to the Buying Director weekly on performance and highlight key issues Present key department strategies and product overview to the Board each season Significant Achievements in this role: Increased Accessories turnover in excess of company growth (6.2% of company mix in 2007 to 10% in 2009) Achieved number 1 market share (volume) in Accessories, jewellery and number 2 in hosiery Delivered consistently strong LFL and yearly growth Rationalised supply base to an appropriate level and mix for each product area, developed key supplier relationships for long term growth Developed and formalised processes for seasonal lessons learned and analysis, and strategic planning Having inherited a challenging and divided team, managed to create a united and effective B&M team with common goals and high standards Implemented a cross-department trend meeting to agree key trends, colours, and timings for a more cohesive womens range November 2003 September 2006 Senior Buyer, DCK Concessions Ltd, Essex DCK operates jewellery concessions for Arcadia brands, BHS, Matalan and other international retailers. 2
- 3. My role was as follows: To manage a team of 10 including a buyer, junior buyer, three assistant buyers, and two designers To develop and source the product for two adult jewellery ranges, via continued product development and regular sourcing/inspiration trips To plan and implement strategy and achieve sales, profit, margin and markdown targets working closely with the merchandiser To direct the designer and implement her designs into the range to offer a point of difference on the High Street To direct junior buyers and designers and review/sign off ranges To develop best practice in buying processes and implement company-wide April 2002 November 2003 Senior Buyer Beeline Accessories GmbH, Cologne, Germany Beeline has 30plus SIX-branded jewellery and accessories retail stores located across Europe, Canada and the Far East, as well as over 1000 concession locations within Europe. Reporting to the Managing Director, my successfully completed brief was as follows: To create a new retail brand of contemporary jewellery aimed at an older customer (25-40 years) to sit alongside the younger SIX brand To implement structured buying, planning and quality control procedures and train the SIX buying team, as well as my own team, regarding these procedures January 2002 April 2002 Freelance Consultant I worked on a freelance basis on a number of product development projects for overseas manufacturers and a two-month consultancy role for Peter Black. October 1998 January 2002 Head of Buying Jewellery Icon, Brighton, UK I was a key member of the management team, working closely with the Managing Director and Finance Director, enabling me to learn about the running of the business as well as manage the Buying and Design teams. Reporting to the Managing Director, my key responsibilities were as follows: To recruit and lead a professional buying and merchandising team during a period of fast expansion To ensure the right fashion product was bought for each brand and ensuring sufficient brand differentiation To implement more sophisticated sourcing and buying procedures and develop the teams skills in these areas To represent the company at meetings with existing and potential host retailers June 1997 October 1998 Buyer Clothing Select Retail Limited, Watford October 1994 June 1997 Assistant Buyer Jewellery and Accessories New Look Retail Limited, Weymouth May 1992 June 1994 Buyers Assistant Various Departments Burton Group Plc, London July 1990 June 1992 Senior Sales Assistant Next Retail Limited, Milton Keynes Qualifications 3
- 4. 3 A levels including English and French; 11 GCSEs inc, A grades in English, Maths and French References available on request 4